Your Horse Issue 345

‘I’m not retiring – I’m as hungry as ever!’ Fox-Pitt sets the record straight

B e a b e t t e r r i d e r , g e t t h e b e s t f r o m yo u r h o r s e

GAIN HIS

TRUST

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Amersham

RESCUED FROM HELL How you can offer a home to a horse in need

In-hand skills to boost confidence and improve performance vet report

Tendon advice you can’t afford to ignore

We share a lovely relationship Readers reveal how horse sharing can really work

acked Knee boots reviewed 40 info-p pages to get your plus buyers’ guides to riding going calmers and stud kits

Care

Great new ways to beat your nerves from the ground up

£3.80

Riding

al withesson Tow Oliver nend

April 2011

Gear tests

WI N

WILLIAM FOX-PITT

I have no intention of retiring Words Rebecca Gibson Photography Matthew Roberts

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ommitted to securing an elusive individual medal at the London 2012 Olympics, William has spent the last decade quietly but methodically building an incredible team of world-class horses at his yard in Dorset.

His current top performers Cool Mountain, Seacookie and Macchiato, are among seven rides he has competing at four-star level.

He also has another 13 horses working their way through the ranks – all with the potential to make it to the top.

Having placed himself in the unique position of having several potential Olympic rides to choose

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from 18 months ahead of the Games, rumours have been circulating that William is planning 2012 to be the finale to his glittering career. But the reports – stating that the 42-year-old will quit the sport following the London Olympics – have angered a normally mild-mannered William.

Keen to set the record straight, the eight-times world number one tells us he has no intention of hanging up his competition boots anytime soon. In fact, he has his sights firmly set on securing a sixth Burghley title, and reveals he finds the prospect of retirement downright terrifying.

Turn over for William’s answers to your questions

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Riding

4 exercises to

help you tackle water Former Olympic eventer Karen Dixon explains four simple steps to help you jump through water with confidence

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Meet Karen

Karen’s eventing career was launched in the early 1980s when she was crowned Junior European Champion in 1982 on Running Bear. Since then she’s competed at four Olympic Games, winning silver at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, and individual bronze and team gold at the World Equestrian Games in Holland. She now competes, trains riders, produces young horses and retrains ex-racehorses from her yard in County Durham.

Being able to jump into, through and out of water with confidence is a key part of your crosscountry training and, as with all training, repetition is key. The only way your horse is going to happily accept whatever is thrown at him on a cross-country course is to get out there and practise.

To help you get started we’ve got advice from

world-class eventer Karen Dixon.

Karen’s had her fair share of experience with water – and dunkings – having ridden at more than 50 four-star events.

She knows how to get the basics right and ensure your horse sees water as just another challenge.

So follow her steps for cross-country success and you’ll be making a splash in no time.

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Rescued from hell

Three years ago these horses, together with more than 90 of their fieldmates, were found near death in one of the most shocking cases of equine cruelty and neglect ever to hit the headlines.

Now, fit and well, the charities that saved their lives are appealing for your help to give them a happy future Words Helen Milbank Photos Mark Manning

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t was a case that sparked outrage and horror – nearly 100 horses, ponies and donkeys found ill, starving and close to death, surrounded by the carcasses of their fieldmates.

When rescuers arrived on the scene at Spindle Farm, a dealer’s yard in Amersham, in January 2008 they were shocked by the sheer scale of the suffering. But out of the horror has come hope. Three years on, and thanks to the hard work and dedication of the welfare teams involved, the rescued animals are on the road to recovery and many are now in a position to be rehomed with loving families.

We went behind the scenes at Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Norfolk – home to 62 of the Amersham equines – to find out more about the charity’s rehabilitation work with abused, nervous animals.

Struck by the huge number of horses under Redwings’ care (it is home to more than 1,100 horses, ponies and donkeys) it’s touching to see how deeply the staff care for each and every animal on an individual basis.

At the charity’s rehabilitation centre, home to a further 140 horses and ponies, a team of seven work tirelessly to give the equines under their care the chance of a happy, fulfilling life.

They work with the most severely disturbed equines and, over the past few months, have dealt with several of the Amersham horses, from Thoroughbreds to miniature Shetlands.

Some were simply unhandled and, as such, unused to human touch – the ‘lucky ones’ as Sarah Hallsworth, Redwings’ rehabilitation manager, describes them.

Others, such as the four young cobs you can see here, had learned that humans simply weren’t to be trusted – turn over for more on their stories.

“The nature of their problems varied from the unhandled to the abused, and from mild to off the scale,” says Sarah, who clearly loves each and every animal who comes into her care. The team even has a rescue cat who lords it in the tackroom and adopted the team when he pitched up one morning in need of a loving home!

As Sarah adds: “The thing the Amersham horses all had in common was that they needed our help - and deserved it.”

So turn the page to find out more about the charity’s work with these horses – and whether you could offer a home to one of the rescued equines.

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Care

Feel better connected If a lack of confidence is holding you back, it’s easier than you think to take action and regain control of your nerves, without even sitting in the saddle. The key? Simple groundwork exercises that can be squeezed into your daily horse care regime and which guarantee results Words: Imogen Johnson

TOP T IP

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• Always consider the weather ow to regain lost An in presen door arena w if you’re going to be working confidence is often t differ il l en to an o a mystery to us utdoor t challenges outdoors. If it’s a windy day, one, so decide if you to c rattling trees or objects being riders, but the answer is which hange the ar ea in y ou wor blown about are likely to simple, according to Sarah k, be su to set u re p cause problems. If it’s rained, Kreutzer. If you’re lacking in enviro your new nmen or is currently raining, is your the confidence department, as care t just fully horse likely to slip? you’re more than likely to be • Make sure the area is secure lacking a true connection with in case your horse gets loose your horse too – and the best way to Next, you need to consider each individual reconnect is through basic groundwork. exercise in order to be prepared for your Before you can expect results in the horse’s possible reactions. To do this, get to saddle, you and your horse need to know know the environment. Plan exactly what you can trust each other on the ground you’re going to do when you lead your horse – after all, if you can’t confidently lead into the area. Walk around, through or over your horse over a pole you’ve no hope of each and every obstacle you’ve set up and confidently riding him over it. Luckily, the decide on a route to take, which direction best groundwork exercises for building you’ll go in and at what speed. confidence are really simple and will help Then consider what questions each your horse’s confidence, too. exercise might present. For example, if you’re going to ask your horse to walk over Create an environment a pole, think about what could happen as for success he does. Could he trip? Could he knock the The environment in which you work pole and, if so, what noise will it make? with your horse is hugely important.

Predicting where your horse might All groundwork exercises can be done experience a strange noise or a stumble in an indoor school, an outdoor school means you can prepare yourself for his or a secure fenced area of your field, but reaction. You’ll then be able lead your horse creating a safe, secure environment through the situation calmly and confidently. requires a little forward thinking.

Meet the expert Sarah Kreutzer Natural horsemanship expert Sarah Kreutzer believes that by conquering basic groundwork exercises with your horse you can start to rebuild your connection with him and boost your confidence levels.

Sarah uses her knowledge and understanding, gained through years of experience and training, to listen and communicate effectively with horses.

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She trained with Monty Roberts and is passionate about helping people find their ‘leader within’. Through her organisation Learning to Listen, based in North Yorkshire, she runs courses to help people develop their personal and professional development while working with horses on the ground. Visit www. learningtolisten.co.uk

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Riding

CORESTRENGTH

Being a

better rider

starts here

The key to feeling safe and in control, whatever your pace or discipline, lies in your core strength. Improve this and you’ll become a better, more effective rider in an instant. We’ve got 10 simple exercises from Equipilates instructor Lindsay Wilcox-Reid, plus expert advice from Team GBR fitness trainer Jon Pitts Words Imogen Johnson

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Your core matters

Your core strength muscles, the transversus abdominis, obliques and mid/lower trapezius, help you maintain the correct position in the saddle. It’s impossible to balance without them

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SHARING

THREE’S COMPANY Words Andrea Oakes

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A fantastic opportunity to share costs, work and time commitments, or a recipe for disaster? As more and more riders consider sharing a horse rather than owning one on a shoestring, we explore how to avoid the pitfalls and make the agreement work for you

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t sounds like the perfect set up – an experienced rider helps out with stable chores and enjoys some quality riding time without financial responsibility, while a timestrapped owner has a fitter horse, a handy second opinion and someone to rely on if they’re ill or away. What’s not to like about the idea of horse sharing?

In theory it’s a win-win situation. In reality, however, just how easy would it be to hand over the reins of your beloved horse to a friend, let alone a stranger?

As a sharer, might stepping into such a close relationship be an uncomfortable case of two’s company, three’s a crowd?

If internet forums are anything to go by, sharing is a minefield of potential problems. Owners talk of their horses being ruined or neglected, while sharers complain of being taken for granted or asked to pay over the odds for such a small part in the sharing experience. Disagreements over everything from stable management routines to riding style have not only ended share

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Gear

BigTest

Knee Boots We put six pairs of knee boots to the test and recommend the ones that will keep your horse well protected while you’re out hacking

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For more gear reviews go to www.yourhorse.co.uk Knee boots are generally used for roadwork to prevent injury to the knees should your horse fall.

They can also be used for travelling in conjunction with bandages.

Knee boots aren’t widely used these days but they’ve saved many horses from nasty injuries.

Sharon Fletcher used the knee boots on Ed, her five-yearold Irish Sports Horse. Ed is still quite unbalanced, can be a little distracted and forgets where he’s putting his feet, and has stumbled on a few occasions.

Sharon used the knee boots for hacking,

assessing each pair against the following criteria.

Fit/comfort Sharon commented on the overall fit of each pair of knee boots, how easy they were to fit and whether they stayed securely in place. She also assessed the shape of the knee boots and what coverage they gave the knee.

Performance Sharon then assessed how well each pair of boots protected Ed’s knees, how easy they were to clean and what condition they’re in now.

Value for money After considering her comments on fit and performance in relation to price, Sharon decided whether the knee boots were good value for money and whether she would recommend them to you.

Alison Lowther gear editor

What to look for Protection

Look for a knee boot that offers a good quality strike pad over the entire front of the knee so your horse’s knees are well protected should he fall down

Material

Knee boots are normally made from leather or neoprene. It’s personal preference as to which you choose. Leather will need more looking after to keep it supple, while neoprene is much softer and may be more comfortable

Fastenings

These can vary – you can get knee boots with buckle fastenings or touch and close straps. Go for straps that are good quality and are going to securely hold the boots in place

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The presentation right) Winner Sue Bailey (thir d from Paul with (from left) our sponsors Budd (Petplan), Amiee Kayless k), (Tek na), Richard Ashby (Equi-Tre ell) Rebecca Ingram (Dodson & Horr s) Our and Lisa Wilson (Chester field final sponsor was Musto, who unfortunately couldn’t attend

I WON!

Sue Bailey is one lucky lady – she won our 2010 Win an Equi-Trek horsebox competition!

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bulous k O u r fa ui-Tre a s n Eq a h w t r e pr iz x, wo or s e b o H re o ic n m o t S ou 0. Find n ge a r ’s £27,00 k re Equi-T w w. about es at w x o b e s a ll r o of hor m c rek.co 1 equi-t 2 1 2 5 8 01 4 8 4

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hen Your Horse editor Julie called to say I’d won the Equi-Trek Sonic horsebox, plus a few other goodies, I honestly thought it was a hoax.

As soon as I put the phone down I turned to my husband Mike and told him I didn’t believe it. But then, of course, it started to sink in and although I was absolutely over the moon, I found myself crying lots, I was just so happy.

I have two horses – Lass, 26, who I bred myself and is now retired, and Valentina, a beautiful six-year-old dun Lusitano who I have high hopes for.

I bought her on a shopping trip to Windsor Show three years ago.

My friend and I had a challenge on to see who could spend the most

money at the trade stands – and I won hands down when I walked away with a new horse! I want to do dressage and showing with her and winning this horsebox means I can, at last, start to get her out and about.

I already have an old 7.5t lorry but Valentina has learnt to undo the partitions, so I can’t use it anymore. I’ve decided that now I’ve got a lovely new lorry, I’m going to donate my old one to the Blue Cross charity so they can help even more horses.

I’m a Your Horse subscriber and entered this competition when it was first in the magazine in June. I would urge everyone to enter all the competitions they can – you never know when it will be your turn to win!

I was absolutely over the moon. I found myself crying lots, I was just so happy

Offers

Gear

Your

HORSE

Exclusive money-saving deals Every issue we negotiate with the biggest and best manufacturers on your behalf, to bring you the ultimate in money-saving offers.

Whether you want something for you, your horse, your stable or yard – or even simply as a gift – there’s bound to be something on these pages to tempt you every month!

Julie Brown editor Terms and conditions • All offers available only while stocks last • Only original vouchers acceptable – no photocopies allowed • Unless stated, offers limited to one item or discount per voucher • Please refer to individual vouchers for specific terms and conditions

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Valid until 30/04/2011 RoFlexs UK is offering 10% off list prices of its full range of electric fencing products to UK readers To claim your discount, email sales@ roflexsuk.com or call 01435 830356 with your contact details and order, saying you are a Your Horse reader. For more information see www.roflexsuk.com

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To claim your discount, order from www.flyaway. ltd.uk and type YHOFFER in the promotional code to receive 10% off your order, plus free delivery

RoFlexs electric fencing

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and Groom Away products

Care

Reduced bedding needs

With matting down you only need a sprinkling of absorbent bedding to soak up any wet

Money back guarantee

Used correctly, rubber matting will pay for itself in a matter of months in terms of bedding costs saved

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rubbermatting

Use it wisely Rubber matting is a revolution in stable management that could save you a great deal of time and money if you use it correctly

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Words Rebecca Gibson Photos Mark Manning

ubber stable mats are a common sight nowadays, lining the floors of stables up and down the country.

In fact 80% of YH readers who took part in our online survey said they have rubber matting in one or more of their horse’s stables. But, although 35% said they use rubber

matting to cut bedding costs, a shocking 58% admitted that they still continue to semi-deep litter – negating the potential for savings.

Rubber matting is more affordable than ever but it still needs a significant initial investment. This means it’s important to choose carefully and use it effectively.

Insulation

As well as offering protection from hard concrete flooring, rubber matting will help keep your horse warm when he lies down at night

Removable mats

They’re easy to take up to be cleaned and can be moved with you when you change yards

Drainage

Some mats are specially designed to aid drainage

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NEXT MONTH in Your Horse

Banish vet bills in 2011 Essential health advice to keep your horse fit and well

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Why understanding how horses live in the wild is key to their wellbeing

Fat-busters Fitness advice to target your horse’s waistline

Exclusive interview Laura Bechtolsheimer on her dressage hopes for 2011

FREE Spring Gear Guide Don’t miss out! Your must-have guide to this season’s rugs, clothing, equipment – and more

Subscribe nowet jack and getuea s of Your Horse Receive 13 iss and get a Euro-star jacket.

See page 22 for more details

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